Moving into the Semi-Final

December 24, 2025

Emirates Stadium, London

Twelve months on from Gabriel Jesus’ hat-trick that carried Arsenal into the final four, there was a familiar sense of occasion as Wembley again beckoned. Crystal Palace, buoyed by their own recent memories of lifting the FA Cup in May, arrived having carved an impressive path to the quarter-finals — penalties against Millwall, then a startling 3–0 dismantling of Liverpool at Anfield. This was no ceremonial appearance.

From the outset, Arsenal imposed themselves. Gabriel Martinelli was the focal point, the left flank a constant source of acceleration and disruption. Palace’s warning signs were immediate. Noni Madueke was slipped through early by Martinelli but shot straight at Walter Benítez, while Tyrick Mitchell responded at the other end by blazing over on the counter.

The pattern hardened quickly: Arsenal dominance, Palace survival. Martinelli tormented Jaydee Canvot relentlessly, delivering crosses with velocity and intent, almost all aimed at Jesus. One such delivery brought a superb reaction save from Benítez, who clawed Jesus’ header off the line. Calafiori stabbed over, Madueke was denied again, and Timber somehow headed wide when unmarked. Palace rode their luck, aided by the absence of VAR — Lerma escaped a handball shout, and Mitchell’s shirt pull on Madueke went unpunished.

Martinelli created five chances before hobbling through to half-time. Palace responded decisively after the break, replacing the beleaguered Canvot with Clyne and tightening their lines. Momentum stalled. Jean-Philippe Mateta, closely monitored by Calafiori throughout, grew into the contest, his physical presence demanding constant attention.

Arteta turned to Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard. Their introduction restored tempo. Ødegaard immediately found Jesus, whose header drifted wide. Benítez remained defiant, repelling another Jesus effort after a slick move involving Saliba, Trossard and Merino.

The breakthrough came from chaos. Saka’s corner caused panic under the bar; Calafiori’s header was blocked, and Maxence Lacroix stabbed into his own net — Arsenal’s third consecutive own goal in their favour at the Emirates.

Nine minutes were added. Palace refused to fold. In the fifth, Marc Guéhi pounced after Lerma’s flick-on to force penalties.

What followed was nerve and repetition. Eight flawless Arsenal conversions. Then Kepa Arrizabalaga guessed right, denying Lacroix.

Arsenal 1 – 1 Crystal Palace 

(M. Lacroix 80’OG, M. Guéhi 90+5’)

8-7 Pen.